Liverpool ready to pursue £12m Shakhtar striker Henrikh Mkhitaryan

Liverpool are set to pursue Shakhtar Donetsk striker Henrikh Mkhitaryan in the summer, as boss Brendan Rodgers looks to improve his attacking options.

Mkhitaryan recently indicated he was keen to move on from his current club, citing a move to one of Europe’s top leagues as a priority.

It is believed Shakhtar would not be adverse to selling the striker, but any club is likely to have to stump up around £12m for his signature.

With Liverpool having brought Daniel Sturridge and Philippe Coutinho to Anfield in January, it looks as though Rodgers is keen to continue the squad’s development ahead of next season.

The Reds have been without Champions League football since the 2009/10 season and look likely to miss out again this time around, but have improved immeasurably over the course of the campaign.

But the acquisition of Armenia international Mkhitaryan will ease the pressure on top scorer Luis Suarez, as well as Daniel Sturridge and Fabio Borini, who has been on the sidelines for best part of the season.

The 24-year-old would also arrive at Anfield with Champions League experience.